Warriors wear down Wildcats; win with shutout
Sports reporter
With three starters missing Friday due to injuries, and another playing with one, the Marion High School football team used a strong running attack that racked up 291 yards, en route to a 19-0 victory at Haven.
"We knew it probably wasn't going to be a pretty game," Thierolf said of the smash-mouth running style of offense. "We made the decision we were going to try and pound the ball and get back to some of the things we've done in the past."
After being held to less than 60 yards on the ground in week three, even playing without starting running back Austin Hager, the Warriors out-gained the Wildcats by 201 yards on the ground.
Quarterback Mitchell Leppke had 158 yards rushing and running back Sheldon Boone had 125 yards. Boone scored two touchdowns and Leppke had one.
"I thought Mitchell ran hard. I thought Sheldon ran hard tonight," Thierolf said. "We had better blocking on the perimeter."
Hager is expected back next week along with defensive players Derek Riggs and Brad Klenda who missed the game with injuries as well.
"I think everybody is going to be healthy," Thierolf said. "Obviously we are a much better team with those three guys playing, but I was proud of the kids who stepped in. We got a shutout. Those things are big, you start to develop some depth."
Offensive lineman Hank Collett played despite a small tear of his medial collateral ligament
Thierolf wasn't sure if he was going to be able to play or not, but said Collett showed up at practice the Tuesday before and told the staff he wanted to try and play.
"It was good having Hank play," Thierolf said. "It was a nice surprise."
Charlie Holub also was back from an injury on the offensive line, and helped get the push needed for the running game to be successful.
"He's a physical son-of-a-gun," Thierolf said.
The Warriors were physical all night, and by the time Boone had already scored from five yards out in the first quarter, and Leppke added a nifty 38-yard score in the second, it was all but over.
The Wildcats could only move the ball for 118 yards of total offense, and never really threatened to score.
Linebacker Matt Thierolf ended the closest thing to a threat for Haven with his first interception in the first quarter, while Boone's second TD in the third quarter sealed the victory.
Marion stayed at 2-1 in the Mid-Central Activities Association and improved to 3-1 overall. The victory surpassed the Warriors' 2006 total.
Thierolf said the juniors this season who saw a lot of action last year, are now benefiting from the playing time.
"The more reps they play, the better they get," he said. "They had to play so much last year that they've seen a lot of things, and now instead of focusing on it they are reacting to everything, and that just makes them a whole lot better."
The undefeated Hoisington Cardinals will try to spoil Marion's homecoming Friday night, but Thierolf and the Warriors won't be surprised by anything.
Division I prospect Cameron Horesky and the senior-laden Cardinals have enough talent that they won't be sneaking up on anybody.
"They've been waiting for this class for a long time," Thierolf said.
Kickoff is 7 p.m. Friday at Warrior Stadium.
